Red Sox Offered Alex Bregman $165M Contract, Sources Say

The Boston Red Sox are reeling after a stunning offseason twist. They just lost one of their most important stars to a National League rival.

What looked like a done deal fell apart fast. Boston’s left frustrated, fans are stunned, and the organization faces major questions about its roster direction and long-term strategy.

Red Sox Left Reeling After Bregman Chooses Chicago

ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Red Sox believed they had a firm agreement to keep All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman. Boston was ready to finalize a five-year, $165 million contract and felt confident they’d done enough to keep their cornerstone infielder at Fenway Park.

Instead, Bregman shocked everyone by signing a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. The difference in money looks small, but the emotional and strategic impact on Boston has been huge.

The Money Breakdown That Stung Boston

If you count a separate 2025 contract, the Red Sox would’ve paid Bregman $205 million over six years. The Cubs’ offer beat Boston’s by just $10 million over five seasons—a gap that’s clearly fueled a lot of frustration inside the organization.

From Boston’s side, losing a franchise player over such a small financial difference feels both surprising and honestly pretty disheartening. They’d already made sacrifices to keep Bregman.

Bregman’s On-Field Value Was Never in Question

At 31, Alex Bregman is still one of baseball’s most reliable infielders. Last season, he put up elite numbers that showed just how valuable he is to any contender.

2025 Season by the Numbers

Bregman hit .314, knocked out 18 home runs, and drove in 62 RBIs across 114 games. His consistency, leadership, and postseason experience made him a huge part of Boston’s competitive window.

• High-contact hitter with elite plate discipline
• Proven All-Star and clubhouse leader
• Defensive stability at third base

Those qualities made the decision to move on from him even tougher for a team still trying to reassert itself in the American League East.

The Domino Effect: Devers, Tension, and a Franchise Shift

Bregman’s earlier arrival in Boston had already shaken up the roster. To fit him at third base, the Red Sox moved Rafael Devers into a full-time designated hitter role.

A Move That Changed Everything

That position change reportedly strained relations between Devers and the organization. The tension eventually boiled over, and Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants in June.

Now both Devers and Bregman are gone. The Red Sox find themselves without two cornerstone players who were supposed to anchor the lineup for years.

What This Means for the Red Sox Moving Forward

Losing Bregman isn’t just about missing out on a signing. It really highlights the internal challenges Boston faces with roster building, contract talks, and player relationships.

A Costly Lesson in the Modern MLB Market

Losing a star to a non-division rival over $10 million stings, especially for a franchise like Boston with deep pockets and big championship dreams.

Inside the organization, you can sense the frustration. Letting a key player walk during such a pivotal offseason just doesn’t sit right.

Now, as the Red Sox try to regroup, all eyes are on how they’ll replace Bregman’s production and leadership. Is this a wake-up call for how the front office handles its top-tier talent going forward? Hard to say, but you get the feeling something’s gotta give.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Report: Red Sox made $165 million offer to Bregman